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Man charged with attempted murder in stabbing at Fargo bar

FARGO – A 38-year-old man arrested after police say he stabbed two men during a dispute at a bar here has been charged with attempted murder.

Jason Todd Pederson faces two counts of the Class A Felony, both of which carry a minimum mandatory sentence of four years in prison, according to charges filed Wednesday in Cass County District Court.

According to the police report filed with the charges, officers were dispatched to Speck’s Bar at 2611 Main Ave. around 2 a.m. and found one man bleeding from the face and neck and another man cut in the neck area.

Pederson fled in his vehicle but was stopped a few blocks away from the bar by an officer, the police report says.

Lt. Joel Vettel said the victims and witnesses identified Pederson as the assailant, and that alcohol was a factor.

One victim was taken to the hospital while the other left the scene on his own.

Further details about the alleged assault contained within the police report were whited-out. Assistant Cass County State’s Attorney Reid Brady said only a “brief summary” was needed to file charges, and the rest of the report was withheld by his office.

“We don’t want to violate his right to a fair trial by disclosing an entire report and information that should or should not be in there,” Brady said.

Readers can reach Forum reporter Erik Burgess at (701) 241-5518

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